How To Install A Dimmer Switch

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Today we will be showing you how to replace a single pole light switch with a dimmer.

First we will start by turning the breaker off that supplies power to the switch. With the breaker off we can now take a flat screwdriver and loosen the two screws that hold the cover plate to the switch. With the screws loose we can remove the cover plate.

With the cover plate removed we can use the screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the light switch to the box. With those two screws removed we can now pull the switch out of the box. With the light switch pulled out of the box we can take the screwdriver and loosen the screws that hold the wires to the switch. Once there loose we can remove both wires from the switch.

Next we can take a pair of needle nose pliers and use them to straighten out the wires. If you have enough wire in the box you can cut the end of the wire off with a pair of wire strippers and then strip back a 1/4” of the insulation from the end of the wire.

With the wires straightened out or stripped back we can now take one lead from the dimmer switch and hook it to one lead from the box and twist them together and the wire nut them together. With that lead hooked up we can now take the other lead and hook it to the other wire in the box and twist them together and the wire nut them together. With the line and load wires connected we can now connect the ground from the dimmer to the ground in the box by twisting them together and then wire nut them together. This might be a green colored wire or a bare copper wire.

With all the wires connected and the wire nuts tight we can now push the wires into the box making sure not to pinch any of them. With the wires pushed back into the box we can push the new dimmer switch into the box and install the two screws that hold the dimmer switch to the box. Once we have the screws in we can use a screwdriver to tighten them down.

With the two screws that hold the dimmer switch to the box tightened down we can install the cover plate and tighten the two screws that hold it in place. Most dimmer switches use a standard light switch cover. Since our original light switch cover was in good shape we are going to reuse it.

With the cover plate installed and the screws tightened down we can install the dimmer knob. With the dimmer knob on we can turn on the breaker that supplies power to the dimmer switch. Before testing the function of the dimmer ensure you are using incandescent bulbs or dimmer compatible compact fluorescent or LED With the power restored we can test the dimmer switch to ensure it functions properly.

With the dimmer switch functioning properly that’s it you have just replace a single pole light switch with a dimmer.